Apparatus for assisting a person to dress

ABSTRACT

An Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing comprises a Cord, a First Engaging Apparatus and a Second Engaging Apparatus. The First Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus are used to temporarily grasp, affix, hold, or otherwise engage with the article of clothing of which one person desires to get dressed. In some preferred embodiments, the First Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus may further include an Upper Interfacing Member and a Lower Interfacing Member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the area of accessories for the infirm, andmore specifically pertains to an apparatus for the purpose of enablingthe infirm to get dressed without assistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the major obstacles and challenges confronting injured people,the infirm, pregnant women, post-operative patients and the elderly isthe necessity of getting dressed. The act of putting on undergarments, apair of pants, or a skirt requires the capacity to lift one's leg whilemaintaining balance (in a standing position), and the ability to bend orstoop forward which may prove impossible or painful for those withphysical debilitation, injury, or weakness. These people require help tofulfill a basic necessity (need) we take for granted and face loss ofindependence and helplessness when there is no assistance available.

Therefore, what is clearly needed in the art is an apparatus whichenables people with diminished physical capacity to get dressed on theirown. Such an apparatus should be easy to use, portable, and enable oneto dress and undress without bending, stooping or physical exertion,which may create stress or further injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus to beused by people with diminished physical capacity to enable them to dressand undress without assistance and maintain their independence. Theapparatus is comprised of adjustable mechanism on the two distal ends ofthe cord for grasping the clothes, and an adjustable length cord held ineach hand for lowering and raising the clothes into position.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-slip lockingmechanism for grasping the clothes and a release, which are easy to use,even by people with minimal strength or dexterity in their hands andfingers. The heads of the interfacing surfaces are widely adjustable intension to accommodate the varying thickness and weights of thedifferent textiles and seams and are designed to provide both frictionalresistance to assure non-slippage and a non-abrasive surface to protectdelicate fabrics from damage.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatuswhich is adjustable in length by means of a cord sizing member in orderto accommodate the changes in height and girth of the user and toprovide a manageable length to accommodate changes in standing andsitting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a uniqueapparatus is provided to enable one to dress themselves without theassistance of others. The present invention is described in enablingdetail below.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention. AnApparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing 100 comprises a Cord 101, aFirst Engaging Apparatus 102 and a Second Engaging Apparatus 103. TheFirst Engaging Apparatus 102 and the Second Engaging Apparatus 103 areused to temporarily grasp, affix, hold, or otherwise engage with thearticle of clothing 125 to which one person desires to get dressed. Insome preferred embodiments, the First Engaging Apparatus 102 and theSecond Engaging Apparatus 103 may further include an Upper InterfacingMember 110 and a Lower Interfacing Member 111.

The Cord 100 is comprised of a First Distal End 104 and a Second DistalEnd 105. Both the First Engaging Apparatus 102 and the Second EngagingApparatus 103 are affixed to the First Distal End 104 and the SecondDistal End 105 of the Cord 101.

The Cord 101 is used to lower the clothes to the floor in order toenable the user to step into the clothes such as pants, shorts, sweats,skirts, etc. Once the user has placed his or her feet and legs throughthe clothing, the user can simply pull the Cord 101 in an upwardlydirection until the clothing is in a position to be buttoned, zipped,etc. In some preferred embodiments, the Cord 101 is a tubular, fabricmember resembling a shoelace. In this preferred embodiment, the Cord 101is imparted with a light-weight and durable quality.

The Cord 101 may further include, in some preferred embodiments, a CordSizing Member 106 for the purpose of lengthening or shortening thelength of the Cord 101. The Cord Sizing Member 106 is disposed betweenthe First Distal End 104 and the Second Distal End 105 of the Cord 101.In some preferred embodiments, the Cord Sizing Member 106 mayincorporate a biasing mechanism for the purpose of securing the Cord 101thereby maintaining a desired length of the Cord 101.

In some preferred embodiments, the First Engaging Apparatus 102 and theSecond Engaging Apparatus 103 may include a ratchet-locking assembly 107for engaging with clothing. The ratchet-locking assembly 107 is used todispose the Upper Interfacing Member 110 and the Lower InterfacingMember 111 in various pre-determined positions, which space the UpperInterfacing Member 110 and the Lower Interfacing Member 111 from eachother. This spacing approximates the thickness of the clothing materialto which it will be engaged. The ratchet-locking assembly 107 is usefulin that a user can engage the clothing with the ratchet-locking assembly107 without unnecessary pressure, which may be problematic for fragileor lightweight fabric. The ratchet-locking assembly 107 is also enabledby a release mechanism 135.

In some preferred embodiments, the Upper Interfacing Member 110 and theLower Interfacing Member 111 include an Engaging Surface 112 asillustrated in FIG. 6. In some preferred embodiments, the EngagingSurfaces 112 will be comprised of grooves 176, ridges 177, or othersurface protrusions 175 for the purpose of increasing frictionalengagement between the Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing 100and the clothing.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are numerouschanges that may be made in embodiments described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, theinvention taught herein by specific examples is limited only by thescope of the claims that follow.

1. An Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing comprising: a Cord, aFirst Engaging Apparatus and a Second Engaging Apparatus; the Cord iscomprised of a First Distal End and a Second Distal End; both the FirstEngaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus are affixed to theFirst Distal End and the Second Distal End of the Cord.
 2. The Apparatusfor Assisting Oneself in Dressing of claim 1 wherein the Cord furthercomprises a Cord Sizing Member for the purpose of lengthening orshortening the length of the Cord; the Cord Sizing Member is disposedbetween the First Distal End and the Second Distal End of the Cord. 3.The Apparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing of claim 1 wherein theFirst Engaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus furthercomprises a ratchet-locking assembly for engaging with clothing.
 4. TheApparatus for Assisting Oneself in Dressing of claim 1 wherein the FirstEngaging Apparatus and the Second Engaging Apparatus further comprisesan Upper Engaging Surface and a Lower Engaging Surface; both the UpperEngaging Surface and the Lower Engaging Surface comprise grooves,ridges, or other surface protrusions for the purpose of increasingfrictional engagement between the Apparatus for Assisting Oneself inDressing and the clothing.
 5. The Apparatus for Assisting Oneself inDressing of claim 1 wherein the Cord 101 is a tubular member comprisedof fabric.